Questionthank you for your response! I should have trusted my instincts and not started the pill. The doctor did do a mutltitude of hormone level tests, as well as a sonogram and she said everything was normal. I did research and based on my symptoms suspected thyroid problem or PCOS. I discussed these with my doctor and she said no, everything is fine. Do you have any idease as to what could be causing my irregularity? As I said, I have always been pretty regular 28-35 days at the most, but the last 8 months have been 40-50 days and longer. I have a feeling I was not even ovulating, but since I am not trying to get pregnant right now, she said it wasn't an issue. I am thinking of seeking a 2nd opinion. Thank you again for your help!
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Followup To
Question -
I have been having irregular periods for quite some time, the last 8 months really. This past cycle was 85 days. I have not been on any birth control, as I really don't care for it or the way it makes me feel. However, my doctor strongly suggested I go on the pill for a while to help regulate my cycle. I went through a lot of testing and confirmed I wasn't pregnant and nothing else was wrong, and she started me on the pill without waiting for me to have a period. I finally did start my period on the 2nd week of active pills. I now have been bleeding for 9 days, even though I am taking the pill. My questions - isn't 9 days a lot or is it okay considering it's been 3 months since my last period? Will the pill be effective since I am on my period halfway through the month? I would love to do natural family planning of some kind, but with my irregular cycles, I really can't. Thanks in advance!
Answer -
Your period is a sign of the state of your health. If something changes then you should look into the cause. The pill does not cure anything and taking it to regulate your cycles is stupid. The pill makes your body think it's pregnant but your normal hormones are there, too, so you still have a period. Nothing about any period you have while taking the pill is normal.
It was also stupid to start taking it without a period as the beginning point. And now there is no way to know if you were ovulating or not when you started taking it. STupid!!! (Not you, the doctor.)
Natural Family Planning is just the thing you should be using because you learn all about your body and your health by taking the signs and observing the symptoms your body sends you. If you used to have regular periods and now you don't, you need to figure out why, not cover up the evidence with the pill, the false hormones.
Stop taking them and let your body heal. Then research natural methods and take better care of your body and hopefully, you will learn what is going on. That should be your goal - to be healthy. What your doctor has you doing is only making you have the appearance of "healthy" without the fact.
The website listed below my name has many resources for NFP and figuring out your cycle problems with natural means. You can do it.
AnswerIt's not normal to have a sudden change in your monthly periods. So, no matter what the tests show, something is going on. It is true that if you are not seeking pregnancy there isn't a strong need to solve the problem but ignoring it can allow something minor to develop into something serious.
A second opinion from a more holistic doctor would be good. They are sometimes hard to find, however. Doing your own research is good. Thyroid and PCOS are distinct possibilities and you can do some natural treatments or approaches while you are continuing to find the root cause.
Check out Dr. Mercola at mercola.com and look at what he says about thyroid. PCOS is closely tied to that and dietary changes and the usual - exercise, good food, enough sleep, etc. will help build a foundation of health while you search out any other problems.
Starting to chart your cycles will also be beneficial when you find a good doctor. A good doctor will be interested in what your temperature chart shows and keeping track of what is going on will help you feel in control of your health. The information is invaluable.
Check out ccli.org for information about fertility and health also.
You can do this. Just don't take the "traditional" approach of medicating a problem without finding the root cause and solving that first. The pill is not good medicine and causes more problems than you want to deal with. And is solves no problems!
